Montana’s four railroad museums are depot museums in railroad towns. Livingston, Harlowton, Whitefish and Three Forks each preserve a station or heritage center from a line that crossed the state.
Each listing below links to a full guide with the history, what to look for and how to reach the operator.
Railroad museums & sites in Montana — 4
Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum
The Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum preserves the story of the Milwaukee Road in a town shaped by the railroad. Its exhibits include railway work objects, a Fairmont speeder, a plow and material about the line’s local history. The depot setting connects those objects with the people and community they served.
Read the guide →Livingston Depot Center
The Livingston Depot Center occupies a major architectural landmark in the town’s historic downtown. Its exhibitions connect railway history with Livingston’s development and its wider role in travel through Montana. The building is an important part of the experience, allowing visitors to consider the public face of the railroad as well as its machinery. Seasonal exhibitions and special programs can change, so the museum’s current calendar should accompany any description of its permanent railway significance.
Read the guide →Railroad & Trident Heritage Center
The Three Forks Area Historical Society preserves local history through the Headwaters Heritage Museum and a distinct Railroad & Trident Heritage Center. The railway component reflects the importance of rail service to Three Forks and its surrounding industries. This gives the site value for visitors interested in the relationship between transportation and regional development. The society’s museum network includes more than one building and subject, so the railway venue is a distinct stop.
Read the guide →Whitefish Museum at the Great Northern Depot
The Whitefish Museum, maintained by the Stumptown Historical Society, preserves the community’s history with a strong connection to the Great Northern Railway. Its depot setting and railway artifacts help explain how the town developed around transportation and railroad employment. The collection also extends beyond railroading, placing the station story within local life. It is a useful stop for visitors interested in the connection between a railway company, a mountain town and the people who worked there.
Read the guide →Keep exploring
- All heritage sites — flagship sites and state guides
- Mountain West — the trains you can ride in the region
- Railroad museums in Colorado
- Railroad museums in Idaho
- Railroad museums in Nevada
- Railroad museums in Utah
- Railroad museums in Wyoming